Paul C. Linnell, M.D.

 Beloved husband, father and community volunteer passed away quietly on October 20th 2021 at the age of 91.  –  A man that served his country, served his community and served his family.

Residents across the Greater Lansing area benefitted from his medical care and community service during his 4 decades long career.  Dr. Linnell started his career in family practice in Holt during the 1950’s delivering babies, making house calls and acting as the Holt High School football team doctor.  He returned to the University of Michigan in the early 1960s to specialize in Ophthalmology, ultimately bringing his family back to the area and settling in East Lansing.

Dr. Linnell was a founding member of Lansing Ophthalmology, serving as the president for many years during the 1980s.  In addition to his career in medicine, he was devoted to numerous organizations serving those in need throughout Mid-Michigan.  In 1994 he was awarded the Presidential Citation Award from the Ingham County Medical Society for his dedication.  While donating his personal time and efforts to the Greater Lansing Food Bank he served as the County Medical Society’s representative to the Food Bank and also worked on the Food and Nutrition Commission for the Michigan Department of Health.  After his election as President of the Ingham County Medical Society in 1985, he persuaded his colleagues to start a new campaign whereby they voluntarily donated their talents and expertise to the working poor in Mid-Michigan and to others who could not afford medical care.

In 1996, Dr. Linnell and his wife, Patricia, spent 3 months working in Mumbasa, Kenya with Rotary International, volunteering his expertise to the children and adults that walked to the free clinic, many of whom walked from miles away.  Back in East Lansing, Dr. Linnell took night classes at Michigan State to perfect his Spanish speaking skills in order to better serve as a volunteer to Michigan’s local agricultural community and attend to their medical needs.  Throughout his career Dr. Linnell provided free medical exams and free medical care to those in need at the Jackson State Prison.

Dr. Linnell was a long serving adjunct faculty member for both the College of Human Medicine and the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State.  He also worked with the Lansing area teachers in order to help them better recognize the signs and cues that indicated a medical need in their young students.  Dr. Linnell took care of all members of our community including volunteering to perform eye surgeries for animals at the Michigan State Veterinary Clinic.

The entire Linnell family enjoyed numerous travels, concerts, theater plays and skiing.  Of course, during his many leisure hours, Dr. Linnell found time to spend on crossword puzzles and he taught himself to play the piano and to paint.  When asked how he wished to be remembered by those he served, Dr Linnell said: “I want people to feel I gave them my best”, and he did!

** In lieu of public services, cards or flowers, Dr. Linnell would prefer a donation of time or money in his honor to the Greater Lansing Food Bank – in his name and in yours!

Greater Lansing Food Bank, P.O. Box 16224, Lansing, MI 48901 -OR- Michigan State University

Medical Scholarship, 965 Fee Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824

Paul C. Linnell, MD –

Born November 22, 1929 in Berlin New Hampshire

Moved to Michigan in 1943

Served in the United States Navy 1946 – 1949

Bachelor of Science Michigan State University 1952

Doctorate of Medicine University Of Michigan 1958

General Practitioner in Holt Michigan 1958 – 1963

Masters in Ophthalmology University of Michigan 1966

Founding member of the Lansing Ophthalmology Center

Member of the Lansing Area Rotary Club

Member of the Ingham County Medical Society (President in 1985)

Member of Michigan State Medical Society

Member of the American Medical Society

Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology

Member of the Public Health Department

Ingham County Representative to the Greater Lansing Food Bank

Volunteer with the Red Cross

Volunteer with the St John’s Medical Clinic

Mobile Meals Driver

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Patricia.   4 children, Doreen Wilson, Craig, Richard and Grant, 11 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and a healthier, happier mid-Michigan community.